Geoff was awake long before the sun rose. It was the first time in years he truly looked forward to celebrating Christmas. He wandered through the house while imagining decorations everywhere. When he walked into the kitchen, he swore he could smell a holiday meal. Then reality hit. The rooms were dark... and empty.
After he left the military, he worked hard to establish his company. With all the constant dealings, he stayed busy. There had always been a new venture, another merger. One day was the same as the next. Weeks, months, even years... they all passed while he built an empire--not for the money but because he saved jobs. It was a way of giving back, something his grandfather had done as well.
He never thought about how alone he was until he met Poppy and Robin. They brought a joy to his life he hadn't even realized was missing. Listening to the young girl made him smile. Everything in her life changed when COVID hit yet her main complaint was that she couldn't play with her friends from school.
Geoff was restless. Watching the clock didn't help either. He tried to work on the house but he couldn't concentrate. Finally, he decided to clear out some of the extra materials sitting around. He put them all in the current mudroom until it was time to shower and dress. When he opened his closet, he swore. Because he initially planned to be working on the house and yard, he only packed old jeans and shirts. The remainder of his wardrobe was in his apartment. Then he remembered the casual outfits he brought back from the week he spent at his headquarters. He paired khaki slacks with a burgundy colored sweater. Carrying a dozen bags and packages, he walked to Robin's house.
In the past, Robin and Poppy opened their gifts before breakfast. Having to wait caused the seven-year-old to whine and complain. Robin held back from yelling but finally sent her daughter to her room. The mother wouldn't admit it but she was on edge. No one had joined them for Christmas since Poppy's father left.
Once Poppy had been old enough to verbalize her wishes for the day, they made up a plan, including their meals, and stuck to it. Robin didn't mind. She didn't have to figure out what to cook each year. With her daughter at the age she wanted to help decorate the house, they slowly came up with things the child could do by herself. Lost in thought, Robin didn't hear the knock on the door.
Geoff shifted the packages he held and knocked a second time on the door. He had debated walking around to the front of the house but decided to go to the back the way he always did. Robin finally answered, making him think she had been in the middle of something.
"Merry Christmas, Robin," he said with a smile.
"Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too. You didn't have to get anything," she said when she saw all the bags and packages he held. "That's not why we invited you."
"I never thought it was."
"Well, I'm sure whatever you chose will make Poppy happy."
Geoff didn't answer. He hadn't only bought gifts for the young girl. He had several for Robin as well but he didn't want to ruin the surprise. Instead, he turned the subject away.
"It smells great in here."
"I thought about making something special but stuck with something simple that Poppy likes. She had so many changes to handle over the year that I didn't want to add another one."
"I could have pitched in, you know. I'm not the greatest cook but I can read recipes."
Robin laughed. She tried to imagine him in the kitchen trying to make a dish just from a recipe.
"OK, so maybe not but I know how to call and have something delivered," he said, grinning at her as he spoke.
Just then, Poppy ran into the room. Robin wasn't sure if she heard them talking or if she had been bored and just wanted out of her room.
"Merry Christmas," she yelled. "Did you bring presents?"
"I found these on my porch. Santa must have dropped them off at the wrong address."
"Are they for me?"
"Well, I saw your name on the top one. Have you been good this year?"
"I was--most of the time. Sometimes I forgot."
Poppy looked at the floor. The happiness Geoff saw on her face disappeared. He was sure he saw a tear in her eye. He thought back to when he had been her age. How would he have managed to get through months of limitations the way she had to?
"I think Santa can forgive you this year. He knows it's been rough on all kids," Geoff replied, reassuring the child.
Robin crouched next to her daughter. "If I was Santa, I would say you did amazing this year."
Poppy smiled again. She hugged her mother then moved toward Geoff. Although he had a mask with him, he hadn't remembered to put it on. However, Robin didn't say anything when her daughter put her arms around his waist. They had been home for months, staying away from anyone who might pass the virus on to them. Besides, she knew Geoff--and all the crews working on his house--always wore masks. It was time to let go of her fear and live a normal life again.
"Do you want to see our tree, Mr. Geoff?"
"I sure do. We should put these presents by it too," he said, smiling at Robin as he followed Poppy to the living room. "Maybe I should put bigger numbers on my house so Santa doesn't get mixed up again next year."
"Big ones, like this," she replied, holding her hand as high as she could. "And put lights on it so when Santa flies over he can see them. But then he might think kids live there and forget to stop at my house."
Geoff smiled. "I don't think he'll ever forget where you live."
Robin listened as she walked behind them. Geoff was so good with Poppy. As she had before, she questioned why her ex-husband didn't want anything to do with his daughter. However, it was his loss.
Poppy pointed to assorted ornaments on the tree she had made. Her enthusiasm showed on her face. Geoff smiled as he took in the holiday decorations. Nothing looked expensive--or breakable. It was a tree meant to enjoy, not as a showpiece like his parents had. He found an empty spot and set everything down.
"Mama, can we open presents?"
"We're going to eat first. I have it all ready," Robin said.
"I hope you cooked something good, Poppy. I'm really hungry."
